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"Is there any other police officer in the world as knowledgeable on mental health? ... I'd need evidence there is." --- Dr Geraldine STRATHDEE, former national clinical director for mental health, NHS England.

"If had to choose single best thing on Twitter, it'd be #MentalHealthCop - Michael Brown." --- Tim NEWBURN, Professor of Criminology, London School of Economics.

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WHAT AM I TRYING TO DO?

This blog is one part professional resource for police officers, one part awareness raising for service users, their families and other professionals about the role of the police as 'street corner psychiatrists'; and one part polemic that we could all contribute to doing this better: by ensuring community for those who live with mental health disorders and, all too often, with stigma.

It is about the venn diagram of policing, mental health and criminal justice.

ESTEEM INDICATORS

Appointed an Officer in the Order of the British Empire (2016) by HM Queen Elizabeth II for services to policing and mental health.

President's Medal from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2015) for a significant contribution to the lives of people with mental illness.

Digital Media Award (2012) for the MentalHealthCop BLOG from the UK's leading mental health charity, Mind.

West Midlands Police Chief Constable's Commendation (2012) for an Outstanding Contribution to Policing and Mental Health.

Special Recognition Award (2014) from the Police Inspectors of England and Wales, Police Federation.

Winner of the International ConnectedCops Award (2014) at the 10th SMILE Conference for leveraging the use of social media in policing.

Commended by Home Affairs Select Committee (2015) in paragraph 19 of their report on Policing & Mental Health.

A venn diagram of policing, mental health and criminal justice

Shut Out

A recent programme from South Africa on mental health provision in the country. I first looked at certain issues around mental health and criminal justice in South Africa ahead of going there on holiday last year. It was clear from visiting various urban and rural areas that there was much unmet mental health need and a chance conversation with two police officers in Blouberg, near Cape Town, revealed that much police demand is connected to the response to mental ill-health, substance abuse and associated crime and disorder.

However, officers had even less training and access to even fewer support and diversion services. We can see in this programme (25mins) the disparity in care in this beautiful country and how the South African police service get drawn in to demands. All too often, a criminalising response to vulnerable people being the only one available apart from doing nothing at all.